Testimonials

"Julie's C-CREC designation course was one of the few classes I've attended where I went out the night between the first and second day,
invoiced for a task and ultimately got paid. So I can say that I used the model during the class and I actually received a check for it…"

In passing, I asked if he knew Julie Garton-Good had gone global with the C-CREC designation. He didn't. I asked him to go to
IAREC's Facebook page and like it. Neil's side of the conversation stopped, so I knew he was looking around.

"So, Neil, what is your opinion of the resurgence in interest in the consulting model?, I asked.

Neil was one of the first C-CREC designees in Memphis. Julie presented for my school, Real Estate Success Center in 2003.
This was a special class for Julie as there was lively conversation about this NEW Idea of hers.

He tried to answer but didn't; so I waited patiently. Anyone who knows me understands that to be nearly impossible. However, This time I understood that to get a real answer out of Neil, I'd have to wait. He pondered for a few seconds - actual silence, it was maddening - then he said:

"I have a potential client right now that I wish I could . . ." , he trailed off to think further; "You know I could use that model right now with a . . .", another pause then Neil said, "Well I can tell you this . . . Julie's C-CREC designation course was one of the few classes I've attended where I went out the night between the first and second day, invoiced for a task and ultimately got paid. So I can say that I used the model during the class and I actually received a check for it. I think I need to get back to more of that."

Like many, Neil had not thought of getting paid for his time in a long while. After that class in 2003, there were several years of a thriving market when this model wasn't talked about much. Few designees in our market pursued the model unless it was their niche.
Yes, I remained (mostly) silent throughout his thought process. As he spoke I remembered Neil arguing with the concept the first day of the C-CREC class Julie taught in Memphis over 12 years before. Then he went out and tried it; I think mostly to prove to Julie that HIS consumers would not pay on a fee-for-service base. Rather than prove it didn't work on day two, Neil invoiced and cashed a check. And, he reported it to the class the second day. It was priceless. I think those options are really needed today in this challenging market.

I wonder if Neil will go to his prospective client tonight and offer an alternative model with shared expenses. I'll remain silent for a while and maybe he'll call to say the consulting model worked for him . . . yet again. :

Neil Hubbard wants everyone to know he is the 8th person to like the
IAREC Page on Facebook. He asked me to promise that I would tell everyone that he was the 8th fan! So I'm publishing that fact now.
He is not only the interviewee for this post going up on the new International Association of Real Estate Consultants site but is also the
8th person to Like the new Facebook Page. Three times enough, Neil? Thanks for your candor. I'm waiting for your call!

-----Sheila Hensley, C-CREC(®)

Dear Sheila:

Wow, I really love this story...and yes, I remember this class (and Neil's response) like it was yesterday. His comments caught me off-guard; in part because I knew him to be a very intellectual, fair, and progressive individual. And when he returned to the class the second day to report that "it did work", it was a breath of fresh air….as I hope the reality was for him!

You are spot-on to realize that the booming housing market we encountered after the class eroded some of the fee-for-services impetuous---but that was then, and this is now and there's nothing but positive momentum in view for real estate consultancy!

Again, many thanks for sharing...but, as always, I'd expect nothing less from IAREC's 2004 "Pinnacle Award Winner". You're the best!

Fondly,

Julie

C-CREC class picture 2003
Germantown Performing Arts

Our dear friend Frank Donato passed not long after this picture was taken.
And a very young, then future Memphis Area Association of REALTORS president, Neil Hubbard sits up and to Frank's left.
Peter Ritten was nowhere to be found - as Frank was pointing out. We all miss Frank.